Spring lacing machine



Aug. 8, 3967 w. K. BLACK SPRING LACING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1965 MW TA V L B K R E U WA BY 5M; w g/11m Aug. 8, 1967 w. K. BLACK 3,334,565

SPRING LACING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1965 8 Sheet5-Sheet 2 is I, H6 3 L152 42 3 a I 3! 50 50 4 1 I 32 I [I G 1 33 G ll] I| I l/( l GD l i i 35 35 I H: l I ml 2! I I 2| ""HHHHHH! IHHIUHHH IN VENTOR. WALTER K. BLACK BY Wwm8M W W. K. BLACK Aug. 8, 1967 SPRING LACING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 21, 1965 mm NL EB w e m m i m M W w M Aug. 8, 1967 w. K. BLACK SPRING LACING MACHIN 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 21, 1965 IN VENTOR. WALTER K- BLACK Aug. 8, 1967 w. K. BLACK 3,334,665

SPRING LACING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet fig WALTER I B) KM ZUWM', SW

Aug. 8, i967 w. K. BLACK SPRING LACING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 21, 1965 IN VEN TOR. WALTER K. BLACK Mmmww AHornc s 1 w. K. BLACK 31,334,665

SPRING LACING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 PRESSURE \T L372 SW CH i HYDRAULIC SOLENO\D-UP i wimp HYDRAULIC SOLENDID-DDWN 50o Q cosLwmE FORM1N6 H75 um H80 g/ INVENTOR {do WALTER K. BLAcK COIL WIRE LENGTH CUTTER y Fig? g2 flmw f/lw United States Patent 3,334,665 SPRING LACING MACHINE Walter K. Black, Anderson, Ind., assignor to Barber Manufacturing Company, Inc., Anderson, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Jan. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 426,930 12 Claims. (Cl. 140-92.7)

The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for lacing springs to make a spring laced product for use in manufacture of chairs, furniture, seats and the like and to a subcombination thereof.

In the manufacture of springs for chairs and the like, it has been found desirable to lace together a number of coil type springs otherwise known as hour glass springs. This lacing together can be accomplished in various ways one of which is by use of helical wires of much smaller diameter than the wires making up the coil springs. A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for manufacture of a spring laced product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring lacing machine which produces a complete spring laced product and eliminates any necessity of manual cutting and crimping of lacing materials.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a method and apparatus for producing a sturdier, stronger, more uniformly acceptable spring laced product.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for mounting an object in such a manner that the position thereof can be easily and quickly adjusted.

Related objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

One embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention might include spring lacing apparatus comprising jig means for supporting a plurality of coil springs A in side-by-side relation, said jig means including a pair of opposed seats for each of said coil springs, each of said seats including means for holding one side of one end of the coil spring, means for rotating a helix about its axis and moving it longitudinally of its axis to engage and surround the individual springs at each one side thereof, means for crimping the helix against the endmost of said coil springs and for cutting off said helix outboard of said crimped portion.

One embodiment of the method of the present invention might include supporting a plurality of coil springs in side-by-side relation, rotating a helix about its axis and moving it longitudinally of its axis to engage and surround the individual springs at one side of one end thereof, crimping the helix against the endmost of the coil springs, and cutting off the helix against the side of the end of the endmost coil springs.

The full nature of the invention Will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a spring lacing machine constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrows.

ice

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 8 but taken along the line 8A8A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the apparatus in a different operating position.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan of an auxiliary drive means forming a part of the present spring lacing machine.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail view of holding blocks forming a part of the present spring lacing machine and also illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged section taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 9 and particularly showing crimping and cutting jaws forming a part of the illustration in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a completed spring laced product manufactured by the machine of the present invention.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective detail views of crimping and cutting jaws forming a part of the spring lacing machine.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a spring laced product manufactured by the machine of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 1717 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 17 and of an additional holding block forming a part of the present device.

FIG. 19 is a section taken along the line 1919 of FIG. 18 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 20 being taken similarly to FIG. 19 to show means for mounting a holding block.

FIG. 21 is a section taken along the line 2121 of FIG. 20 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the electrical cirsuit of the present invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a spring lacing machine which includes a frame 10 including a horizontal member 9 fixed to uprights 13. Fixedly secured to and supported upon the horizontal member 9 of the frame 10 is a pair of hollow or tubular guide elements 11 each of which has a funnel 12 secured to its entry for guiding helicals or helically formed wires 15 into the machine. The helicals'or helical wires 15 are formed into a helical shape with a desired radius and pitch by means of apparatus such as an Automatic Helical Maker machine 16 manufactured by Frank L. Wells Company of Kenosha, Wis., said machine 16 including adjustable means for controlling the diameter and the pitch of the helical.

The frame 10 also includes a pair of uprights 20 which along with uprights 13 fixedly mount horizontal rods 21. Slidably mounted upon the horizontal rods 21 is a cutter assembly 22 which can be set at any predetermined location along the length of the horizontal rods 21. The cutter assembly 22 includes a vertical plate 25 (FIG. 3) and a solenoid 26 fixedly mounted upon said vertical plate. The armature shaft 27 of the solenoid 26 is slidable Within guide means 30 fixed to the plate 25. When the solenoid 26 is actuated to cause the cutter assembly to operate, the shaft 27 moves upwardly and the knives 31 cooperate with and cut against blades 32.

The blades 32 are mounted in position by mounting assemblies 35 which may incorporate suitable shim means and the like for accurately positioning the blades 32 and for taking up wear. A pair of links 36 are pivotally connected at one end by shaft 37 to the distal end of the armature member 27. The links 36 are connected at their opposite ends by shafts 40 to levers 41. The levers 41 are swingably mounted upon brackets 42 which are fixed to the plate 25. The knives 31 are secured to blocks 45 which are fixed in position on the levers 41 by means of screws 46.

FIG. 4 illustrates the inside of guide means in the form of tubes mounted on the vertical plate 25 and the cutter knives 31 and blades 32 adjacent thereto. The operation of the cutter means of FIG. 3 can be inferred from the above description. As the helical 15 moves through the cutter means, a portion of the helical always remains between a respective knife 31 and blade 32 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, whenever the sole noid 26 is actuated to raise the armature 27, the helical ins cut.

Mounted next along the path of the helical wires 15 is a pair of guide means which are both mounted upon cross members 61 mounted upon and slidably adjustable along the rods 21. The guide means 60 can be positioned in any desired location toward the cutter assembly 22 or toward the driving assembly 70 as desired and as appropriate to properly guide and support the helicals. The guide means or devices 60 each incorporate a lower trough portion 65 which is elongated, concave and upwardly opening. Hinged to each of the lower portions 65 is a top 66 permitting access into the guide means and facilitating the removal, if desired, of the helices from the respective guide means.

Mounted upon the uprights 20 0f the frame 10 is the helicals drive assembly 70 which is best shown in the detail views of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. A motor is mounted upon a suitable support 76 secured to the uprights 20 and drives a belt 77 which extends around pulleys 80 fixed to shafts 81. The shafts 81 are rotatable within bearings provided by the vertical frame plate and by brackets 82 fixed to a vertical frame plate 85. Each of the shafts 81 has a spur gear 83 fixed thereto whereby the motor 75 can drive the gears 83.

' Also mounted for rotation upon the vertical plate 85 is a series of spur gears -99. The gears 90, 91 and 95 drive a pair of auxiliary drive apparatus (FIGS. 1 and 10) provided for each of the two hedical wires. Thus, the shaft 106 is fixed to the spur gear 91 and extends through the vertical plate 85 and through a bearing 107' fixed to the frame 10. Also mounted upon the shaft 106 is a spur gear 110 which meshes with bevel gear 111 for driving the auxiliary roller 112. The auxiliary roller 112 is fixed to a shaft 115 which extends through a bearing 116 and has fixed on its opposite end the bevel gear 111.

Also forming a part of the auxiliary drive means 105 is a pair of rollers 117 which are spaced by a roller 118 and which are received upon a shaft 120 fixed to support member 121. The support member 121 is fixed to the frame 10 and positions the rollers 117 in spaced relation to the roller 112 whereby they can act as idler rollers and backup supporting means for the driving function of the auxiliary roller 112. There are two such drive means 105 provided on the opposite sides of the apparatus, one being driven by the spur gear 91 and the other by the spur gear 95. The drive means which has not been described is substantially identical to the above described drive means 105.

The primary drive means for each of the helices is' driven by spur gears 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98 and 99. Each of spur gears 92, 93, 97 and 99 has a roller 130, 131,'

4 132 and 133 associated therewith and fixed with relation to its respective spur gear. Each of the spur gears and associated rollers is connected by a suitable shaft fixedly secured to its respective spur gear and roller. For example in FIG. 6, the spur gear 99 is fixed to the roller 3 Such a raising of the helices is accomplished by a' solenoid 140. The solenoid is mounted upon frame members 141 and has a T-shaped member 142 fixed to.

its armature. The frame members 141 are fixed to one another with the L-shaped members 141 fixed between.

the plate 85 and a further plate 143 also forming a part of the frame. The T-shaped member 142 provides bearing support for a pair of shafts 145 and 146 each of which has a spur gear 147 and 148 fixedly mounted thereon and each of which has a roller and 151' fixedly mounted thereon. It will be noted from FIG. 6 that the shaft 146 is enlarged at the end thereof upon which the spur gear is fixedly mounted. When the rollers 149 and 151 are lifted upwardly by projection of the armature member 142, the rollers 150 and 151 engage the helices and force the helices against the rollers 130-133. Also, the rollers 150 and 151 are driven at the same speed as rollers 130433 through the spur gears 80, 92, 94 and 147 and through the spur gears 96, 97, 98 and 148.

FIG. 7 shows the operating arrangement which causes" each helix 15 to be moved along its path with the three' rollers engaging the helix at three different sides 120 apart. FIG. 6 also shows the manner in which the spur gears 94 and 98 are rotatably mounted upon tubular members and 161. It will be noted that the tubular members 160 and 161 are fixed to the upright plate 85 arms 173 and 174, respectively, of the limit switches 1 70 and 171 each have rollers on the distal end thereof. The distal end of the limit switch arm 173 is located at 172 while the distal end and the actuating arm of the limit switch 171 is located at 175. The roller 176 and slotted tubular member therefore of FIG. 6 is representative of the two rollers mounted on the distal ends of the respective actuating arms. When a helix is moving through the tubular element 161, the roller 176 is engaged thereby actuating the arm 174 of theswitch 171. It can be ap-" preciated that the switch 171 therefor senses a helix coming into the tubular element 161 while the switch senses a helix leaving the tubular element 181. The

tubular elements 180 and 181 are fixedly mounted upon a the vertical plate 143 forming a part of the fixed structure of the drive assembly and function to guide thehelicals into the spring lacing portion of the present machine.

The portion of the present machine in which the actual spring lacing is effected is illustrated as the leftward portion of the machine as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes the uprights 20 and also uprights 200. Fixed to the upper end of the uprights 200 is a cross member 201 which supports the ends of a pair of angles 202 and 203, the other ends of which are fixedly supported by upright plate 143 of the drive assembly. The angles 202 and 203 are arranged with their convex surfaces facing upwardly and in such a manner that the legs 204 and 205 and particularly the upwardly facing surfaces thereof taper upwardly and away from one another. The legs 204 206 and 207 therethrough for the mounting of holding blocks 210 and 211 at desired locations along the length of the angles 202 and 203.

The holding blocks 210 and 211 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 17-19. The purpose of the holding blocks is to mount a plurality of coil springs in side-by-side relation as shown in FIG. 1 whereby a product can be produced as shown in FIG. 16. It will be noted that each of the coil springs 215-218 has its endmost coils 220 secured back upon themselves at 221. This operation is effected previous to the use of the coils in the present device. The present spring lacing machine secures the helicals to the opposite sides 225 and 226 of the ends 220 and crimps the helicals to the endmost coils 215 and 218. The present machine also cuts the helicals at the sides 225 and 226 of the coils 215 and 218 in such a manner that none of the respective helices protrudes beyond the endmost coils.

The inner blocks 211 need only be designed to position the coils 216 and 217 so that the helices can be screwed around the sides 225 and 226. Each of the holding blocks 211 is, therefore, provided with a U-shaped spring 230 which is fixed to the block 211 and projects from the block through a recess 231. When the end 220 of one of the coil springs 216 or 217 is supported upon the U-shaped spring 230, a space is provided beneath, behind and above the end 220 of the spring so that the helix has no obstruction in its path as it is rotated and moved longitudinally of its axis. Thus, the helix can move around the side 225 or 226 of the coil spring to produce the result illustrated in FIG. 16.

It will be noted that the end 220 of the coil springs 216 bears against the surface 219 of the holding block 211 which also acts to provide a space behind the end of the spring in the recess 231. Secured to the bottom of the holding blocks 211 are sheet metal retainer members 232 which act as guide'means for the helices 15. Each of the retainer members 232 is held up against the bottom 235 of its respective block 211 by means of a compression spring 236 received upon a screw 237. When it is desired to pull the final product 16 or a partially formed product with only two of the helices 15 away from the spring lacing device, the spring pressed retainers 232 resiliently move down and away from the blocks 211 to permit such removal.

The holding block 210 is perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 and includes a small projection 240 extending from the block 210 and into an opening 241 through the block 210. Each of the blocks 210 and 211 has swingably mounted thereon a pair of elliptical members 242. The elliptical members 242 can be adjustably swung upon mounting screws 245 to various positions for providing mounting of the springs 215-218. Thus, if the base 220 of a given spring has a relatively large radius or diameter, the elliptical members 242 are swung somewhat outwardly. If the base 220 of the spring has a relatively small radius or diameter, the elliptical members are swung inwardly. It can be appreciated that in the case of the holding blocks 211, the U-shaped member 230 plus the elliptical members 242 provide a four-point support. In the case of the holding blocks 210, the elliptical members 242 and the projection 240 provides a three-point support. It will be appreciated, however, that the projection 240 as well as the surface 239 of the block 210 does space the end 220 of the coil away from the sides of the aperture 241 so that there is space for the helix 15 to screw around the sides 225 and 226 of the coil.

As is suggested above, the product illustrated in FIG. 16 is formed by placing the various coil springs 215-218 between the pins'of holding blocks 210 and 211 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1, l7 and 19. The drive means 70 and auxiliary drive means 105 are then operated to move the pair of helices through the mounting blocks and to a position surrounding the ends 220 of the springs 215-218 producing an assembly approximating that illustrated in the lower half of FIG. 16 but without the ends of the helices 15 trimmed off or crimped. The trimming and crimping operation is then carried out by the trimming and crimping assemblies 250 and 251.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 2 and 8, the trimming and crimping assembly 250 is illustrated and is also representative of the trimming and crimping assembly 251. The trimming and crimping assembly 251 is identical to the trimming and crimping assembly 250 except that the assembly 251 has its jaws arranged in a different manner as is explained below. The assembly 250 includes a pair of plates 255 each of which have a pair of apertures 254 therethrough through which extend horizontal rods 256 fixed to the frame 10 and to cross members including cross member 201 extending between the uprights 200 and the uprights 20. The cutting and crimping assembly 250 and 251 are slidable upon the rods 256 and can be adjusted as to their position upon the rods by a screw 257 having a wheel 260 secured to the end thereof. The screw 257 is threadedly received through suitable threaded apertures in the plates 255. Secured to the lower end of the plates 255 are rods 260 which mount a hydraulic cylinder 261 having a piston rod 262, the distal end of which has levers 265 swingably pinned thereto. The levers 265 have shafts 266 extending therethrough centrally of the levers, said shafts 266 pivotally mounting levers 267. The levers 265 have rollers 270 rotatably mounted at one end thereof and adapted to roll across camming surfaces 271 secured to levers 272.

The levers 272 have pivotally secured thereto jaws 275 which cooperate with opposing jaws 276 fixedly mounted on the levers 267. When the hydraulic cylinder 261 projects its piston 262, the levers 265 spread to the position shown in FIG. 9 causing the shafts 266 to move apart and to pivot the levers 267 about the shaft 256 and the jaws 276 toward the helices 15 where they surround the endmost coils 220 of the endmost coil springs, for example 215.

Simultaneously with the outward movement of the jaws 276, the jaws 275 are moved inwardly by the rollers 270 moving across the cam surfaces 271. The purpose of the movement of the jaws 275 is to move the helices and the coils 220 away from the holding blocks a suflicient distance so that the helices can be properly crimped and cut against the coils. FIG. 9 shows the apparatus after the crimping and cutting action and shows the helix in a ciimped position. The configuration of a representative one of the jaws is best shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 14 shows a representative one of the jaws 276' of the cutting and crimping apparatus 251. It will be noted that jaws 276' incorporate a shield 276A which projects downwardly. The jaws 276 are mirror images of one another and have cutting anvils 280 and crimping surfaces 282 which are at right angles to the direction of movement of the jaws 276. The jaws 275, as can'be seen in FIGS. 12 and 19, have a cooperating configuration to the configuration of the jaws 276. Each of the jaws 275 have a cutting anvil 285 and a recessed crimping surface 286. As can be seen in FIGS. 9, l2 and 19, however, the surfaces 285 and 286 are at an angle of approximately 75 degrees to the direction of movement of the jaws 275.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, the jaws 275' and 276' of the cutting and crimping assembly 251 are illustrated. The jaws 275 and 276' also incorporate cutting anvils 281 and 285' and crimping surfaces 283 and 286 similar to jaws 276 and 275 but reversed because the trailing portion of the helix is to be out while the next-to-trailing portion is to be crimped. Of course, in the case of jaws 275 and 276 the leading portion of the helix is to be cut while the next-to-leadin-g portion is to be crimped. It should be mentioned that the 75 degreedegree angular relationship of the jaws 275' and 276 is reversed from the jaws 275 and 276. That is the jaws 275' have cutting and crimping surfaces 285' and 286 which are at right angles to the direction of movement of the jaws while the jaws 276' have .cutting and crimping surfaces 281 and 7 283 which are 75 degrees to the direction of movement of the jaws.

The cutting knife in the present process and apparatus is the endmost coil 220 of the coil spring either 215 or 218. The coil 220 is supported by the backup force of the cutting anvil either 285, 285', 280 or .281 while the opposite cutting anvil cooperates with the coil 220 to. actually produce the cut of the helix. The present procedure might better be termed a fracture or pinching off of the helix rather than a pure cutting operation. Because of the way in which the helix 15 is fed into the cutting and crimping apparatus and primarily because of the auxiliary drive means 105, the cut or pinching of the helix is always effected at the outside with regard to the cutting and crimping apparatus 250 and at the inside with regard to the cutting and crimping apparatus 251. In other words, in the present embodiment of the device, the cutting or pinching of the helix is eflected between the coil 220 and the cutting anvil 285 and also between the coil 220 and the cutting anvil 281.

The arrows 290 and .291 in FIGS. 14 and 15 show the direction of movement of the jaws 276 and 276 during the cutting and crimping process. It should also be mentioned that the blocks 210 and 211 can be repositioned at any desired location along the length of the anvils 202 and 203 and reattached by means of screws 300'. Each of the blocks 210 and 211 has an elongated slot 301 therein which permits minor adjustment of the position of the blocks. The blocks 210 and 211 are maintained at the proper attitude by flanges 299 on angles 202 and 203 and by recesses 298 in blocks 210 and 211. Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, it can be seen that the jaws 275 have rounded sides 302 and slide in a slot 241 which is similarly shaped to the jaws 275. In the lower surface of the jaws 275, there is formed a recess 305 which slides over the projection 240 during the cutting and crimping process. A fragmentary view of the product resulting from the cutting and crimping procedure is illustrated in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, an alternative means of mounting of the blocks 210 and 211 is illustrated. In FIG. 20, the holding block 310 may be similar or identical to the holding block 210 and 211. The holding block 310 is mounted upon a member 311 similar to the members 202 and 203. The screw 312 corresponds to the screw 300 but is not received in an elongated slot such as the slot 301 and instead is received within a bore 315 and a countersunk portion 316. The screw 312 is threaded into a member 317 which is received within an elongated slot 320 in the member 311. The slot 320 includes additional slots or recesses 321 which open into the slot 320.

It will be noted that the member 317 has a pair of projections 322 which can be moved into the slots 321 by rotation of the screw 312. Thus, even though the mem ber 317 is threadedly received upon the screw 312, there is a certain amount of friction between the screw and member 317 which permits rotating of the member 317 into and out of the slot portions 321 by means of the screw 312. Once the projections 322 have been seated within the slot portions 321, the user of the structure of FIGS. 20 and 21 can then tighten up on the screw 312 firmly mounting the holding block 310 in position. The advantage of the illustrated construction is the fact that the holding block 310 can be moved from one end to the other of the member 311 without complete removal of the screw from the member 317. Thus, repositioning of the holding blocks 210 and 211 or 310 can be a simple, quickly accomplished operation requiring only partial unthreading of the screw 312, movement of block 310 and retightening of screw 312.

The electrical circuit of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 22. There is a relatively simple hydraulic circuit also involved in the present machine. However, the hydraulic circuit with associated components is commercially available and consequently is not described herein. The hydraulic unit used in the present machine may be manufactured, for example, by Vickers, Inc., of Detroit, Mich., and might include a hydraulic pump PVB 5FLS-lOC-10, the hydraulic tank T 10, a filter 650- S-20M3P4-42, and a valve DG 484-0186-43.

Each of the hydraulic piston motors, ie the motor 261 of the cutting and crimping assembly 250 and the motor 261' of the cutting and crimping assembly 251 is provided with two ports each opening into the hydraulic cylinder motor on the opposite side of the piston thereof. Thus, when it is desired to project the piston, hydraulic fluid is pumped into one of the ports and is removed from the other of the two ports. When it is desired to retract the hydraulic piston, hydraulic fluid is pumped into the other of the ports and removed from the one of the ports. Each of the two motors 261 and 261 is coupled in parallel to the above mentioned hydraulic systems including the pump and associated components whereby motors or cylinders 261 and 261' project and retract together. Referring to the electrical schematic diagram, there is provided a hydraulic solenoid 400 for up movement of pistons 262 and 262 and a hydraulic solenoid 401 for down movement of the pistons, said hydraulic solenoids 400 and 401 forming a part of the valve DG 4S4-018643. When the solenoid 400 is energized, the hydraulic cylinders are actuated to project their pistons 262 and 262. When the solenoid 401 is energized, the hydraulic cylinders are actuated to retract their pistons.

A foot switch 402 is provided for the operator to control the motor 75 and solenoid 401. The foot switch is so arranged that it can be actuated in one direction to cause the motor to drive the helices forwardly or leftwardly as the machine is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The operator can also reverse the driving action of the motor 75 by reversing the foot pedal switch 402. For effecting the above described operation, the switch 402 incorporates contacts 405, 406 and 407. The contacts 405 can either engage contacts 410 or contacts 411. The contacts 406 can either,

422 which provide, respectively, volt current and 220 volt current.

Assuming now that the operator desires to operate the present device to produce the product illustrated in FIG.

16, the foot switch 402 is actuated energizing the solenoid 425 through the lines 420 and 426, contacts 410 and 405 and lines 427, 430 and 421. The solenoid and motor 75 are also energized to operate in a forward direction through the lines 420, 431, contacts 412 and 406, lines 432 and 435, contacts 407 and 416 and lines 436 and 421. The energization of the solenoid 425 closes contacts 437 whichrtogether with the solenoid 425 make up the relay 440.

Of course, previous to the depression of the foot pedal 402, the operator will have manually mounted the various coil springs 215-218 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 upon the respective holding blocks 210 and 211; Closing of the contacts 437 energizes a solenoid 440 through the line 420, line 441, limit switch 442, line 443, contacts 437, line 445 and line 421. The energization of the solenoid 440 which forms a part of the relay 450 causes the contacts 451 and 452 of the relay to close. The closing of the contacts 451 locks in the solenoid 440 even though the contacts 437 may be opened by reason of the operator removing his foot from foot pedal 402. It should be mentioned that the limit switch 442 is mounted on the crimping and cutting assembly 250 as indicated in FIG. 2 and is closed when the motor 261' has its piston 262' retracted.

and open when projected.

Of course the energization of the solenoid 140 raises' wardly or leftwardly as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 causing the helices to move through a screw thread path and to screw around each of the endmost coils 220 of the coil springs 215-218. The closing of the contacts 452 has no effect until the helices have completed their movement around the coils of all of the coil springs 215-218. This is true because of the fact that the limit switches 465 and 466 are normally open and are not closed until the helices have completed their movement. Referring to FIG. 1, the limit switches 465 and 466 are shown at the end of the path of the coils. FIG. 11 is representative of both of the limit switches and shows limit switch 466 mounted upon angle 202. Each of the limit switches 465 and 466 is provided with a pivotally mounted lever 470 for actuation of the limit switch.

When both of the helices have completed their movement into engagement with the levers 470 of the two limit switches 465 and 466, both of the switches are closed whereby the solenoid 455 of a relay 470 is energized as is the solenoid 471 of a relay 472. The relay 472 has normally closed contacts 475 which are thereby opened deenergizing the solenoid 401 associated with the hydraulic valve and normally causing lowering of the pistons 462 and 462 when solenoid 401 is energized. The energization of the solenoid 455 of the relay 470 closes the contacts 476 and 477 which locks in the solenoids 455 and 471 even though contacts 452 or the contacts of switches 465 and 466 may open.

The closing of the contacts 477 of the relay 470 energizes the solenoid 400 associated with the hydraulic valve causing the cylinders 261 and 261' to project their pistons and causing the above described crimping and cutting operation.

The limit switch 480 is mounted upon the cutting and crimping assembly 451 and is actuated to close its normally open contacts upon the projection or the beginning of the projection of the piston rod 262' of the hydraulic cylinder 261'. The closing of the switch 480 energizes a motor 481 associated with the above mentioned Automatic Helical Maker machine 16. The motor 481 operates the machine to start forming a new length of helical wire and to move the new length of helical wire through the guides 11 into the cutter assembly 22. As the newly formed.

helicals move into the tubular guide members 160 and 161, the actuating arm 174 of the limit switch 171 is actuated opening the limit switch and deenergizing the helical forming motor 481. The motor 481 does not immediately stop but coasts to a certain extent causing the helicals moving through the tubular guides 160, 161, 180 and 181 to continue their movement until the actuating arm 173 of the limit switch 170 is actuated closing the limit switch and energizing the solenoid 26 whereby the helicals are cut to length and are ready for the next spring lacing, cutting and crimping operation.

Returning again to the cutting and crimping operation, the solenoid 400 remains energized producing pressure upon the cutting and crimping jaws until a pressure switch 485, mounted to sense the pressure Within the hydraulic cylinders 261 and 261' is opened, at which time the circuit to the solenoid 455 is broken opening contacts 476 and 477. The opening of the contacts 477, of course, deenergizes the solenoid 400.

The opening of the switch 485 also deenergizes the solenoid 471 of the relay 472 closing the contacts 475 and thus energizing the solenoid 401 operating the hydraulic valve to move the cylinder motors 261 and 261 downwardly releasing the crimped and cut product. It can be seen that a single spring lacing, crimping and cutting operation will provide only two of the four required helices on the final product. In order to complete the product of FIG. 16, the partially completed product must be turned over and repositioned on the holding blocks 210 and 211 whereupon the above procedure is repeated. As the hydraulic pistons complete their return to the retracted position, a limit switch 500 mounted on the cutting and crimping assembly 250 is actuated opening its contacts and deenergizing the hydraulic solenoid 401 thus returning the hydraulic unit to neutral position.

From the above description it will be evident that the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for the manufacture of a spring laced product. It will be further evident that the present invention provides a spring lacing apparatus which produces a complete spring laced product without any necessity of manual cutting and crimping of lacing materials. It can also be seen that the present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing a sturdier, stronger, more uniformly acceptable spring laced product. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in'character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. Spring lacing apparatus comprising means for rotating a helix about its axis and moving it longitudinally of its axis to engage and surround a plurality of individual coil springs at one side of one end of each spring, means for crimping the helix against the endmost of said coil springs and for cutting off said helix by pressing the helix against the one side of one end of the endmost coil springs, said last mentioned means including a pair of jaw assemblies between which said helix and coil springs are received for simultaneous cutting and crimping.

2. Spring lacing apparatus comprising jig means for supporting a plurality of coil springs in side-by-side relation, said jig means including a pair of opposed seats for each of said coil springs, each of said seats including means for holding one side of one end of the coil spring, means for rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis to engage and surround the individual springs at each one side thereof, and means responsive to the completed longitudinal movement of said helices for crimping the helices against the endmost of said coil springs and for simultaneously cutting off said helices, said last mentioned means including a pair of jaw assemblies between which said helix and coil springs are received for simultaneous cutting and crimping.

3. Spring lacing apparatus comprising jig means for supporting a plurality of coil springs in side-by side relation, said jig means including a pair of opposed seats for each of said coil springs, each of said seats including means for holding one side of one end of the coil spring, means for rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis to engage and surround the individual springs at each one side thereof, means for crimping the helices against the endmost of said coil springs and for cutting off said helices against the one side of each end of the endmost coil springs, said last mentioned means including a pair of jaw assemblies between which said helix and coil springs are received for simultaneous cutting and crimping.

4. Spring lacing apparatus comprising a plurality of holding blocks each of said holding blocks having a face with an elongated recess therein, one-half of said holding blocks being mounted with their faces in mutually facing relation to the faces of the other half of said holding blocks, said blocks tilting upwardly away from one another whereby a coil spring can be inserted between each opposed pair of blocks, a plurality of projecting elements each secured to a respective one of said blocks and extending through the recess of said blockfor supporting the endmost coil of a coil spring away from the walls of said recess, said blocks being positioned with the recesSes of the one-half of said blocks in alignment and the recesses of the other half of said blocks in alignment,

means for rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis through said recesses to engage and surround the individual springs at the endmost coils thereof, means for crimping the helices against the endmost of said coil springs and for cutting off said helices against the one side of each end of the endmost coil springs.

5. Spring lacing apparatus comprising a pair of elongated spaced parallel supports each having a first elongated slot therein, a plurality of holding blocks, a plurality of screws each through a respective one of said holding blocks, a plurality of mounting members each threadedly andfrictionally received on a respective one of said screws, said elongated spaced parallel supports each having further mutually facing elongated slots opening into said first slot, said mounting members each having oppositely extending projections adapted to be extended into said further slots upon rotation of the screw upon which the respective mounting member is frictionally mounted, said screws being further rotatable to draw up said mounting members firmly against said supports, each of said holding blocks having a face with an elongated recess therein, one-half of said holding blocks being mounted on one of said parallel supports with each face thereof in mutually facing relation to the face of a respective one of the other half of said holding blocks mounted on the other of said parallel supports, said blocks tilting upwardly away from one another whereby a coil spring can be inserted between each opposed pair of blocks, a plurality of projecting elements each secured to a respective one of said blocks and extending through the recess of said block for supporting the end- 'the endmost of said coil springs and for cutting off said helices against the one side of each end of the endmost coil springs.

, 6. Spring lacing apparatus comprising a pair of elongated spaced parallel supports, holding blocks mounted on said supports and adjustable along the length of said spaced supports, each of said holding blocks having a face with an elongated recess therein, one half of said holding blocks being mounted on one of said parallel.

supports with each face thereof in mutually facing relation to the face of a respective one of the other half of said holding blocks mounted on the other of said parallel supports, said blocks tilting upwardly away from one another whereby a coil spring can be inserted between each opposed pair of blocks, a plurality of projecting elements each secured to a respective one of said blocks and extending through the recess of said block for supporting the endmost coil of a coil spring away from the walls of said recess, said blocks being positioned with the recesses of the'one half of said blocks in alignment and the recesses of the other half of said blocks in alignment, means for rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis through said recesses to engage and surround the individual springs at the endmost coils thereof, means for crimping the helices against the endmost of said coil springs and for cutting off said helices against the one side of each end of the endmost coil springs.

7. Spring lacing apparatus comprising a plurality of holding blocks each of said holding blocks having a face with an elongated recess therein, one-half of said holding blocks being mounted with their faces in mutually facin relation to the faces of the other half of said holding blocks, said blocks tilting upwardly away from one another whereby a coil spring can be inserted between each opposed pair of blocks, said blocks being positioned with the recesses of one-half of said blocks in alignment and the recesses of the other half of said blocks in alignment, means for rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis within said recesses to engage and surround the individual springs at the endmost coils thereof, four pairs of cutting and crimping jaws, the two endmost ones of each of said holding blocks on each of said parallel supports having a passage therethrough through which one jaw of each of said pair of jaws projects, means for closing the jaws of each pair of jaws and for simultaneously supports with each face thereof in mutually facing relation to the face of a respective one of the other half of said parallel supports, said blocks tilting upwardly away from one another whereby a coil spring can be inserted between each opposed pair of blocks, said blocks being positioned with the recesses of one half of said blocks in alignment and the recesses of the other half of said blocks in alignment, means for rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis within said recesses to engage and surround the individual springs at the endmost coils thereof, four pairs of cutting and crimping jaws, the two endmost ones of each of said holding blocks on each of said parallel supports having a passage therethrough through which one jaw of each of said pair of jaws projects, means for closing the jaws of each pair of jaws and for simultaneously moving said one jaw of each pair of jaws through said passage into said recess, one jaw of each pair of jaws having a cutting anvil thereon positioned to cut the respective helical in cooperation with the respective coil spring.

9. Spring lacing apparatus comprising a pair of elongated spaced parallel supports, holding blocks mounted on said supports and adjustable along the length of said spaced supports, each of said holding blocks having a face with an elongated recess therein, one-half of said holding blocks being mounted on one of said parallel supports with each face thereof in mutually facing relation to the face of a respective one of the other half of said holding blocks mounted on the other of said parallel supports, said blocks tilting upwardly away from one another whereby a coil spring can be inserted between each opposed pair of blocks, said blocks being positioned with the recesses of one-half of said blocks in alignment and the recesses of the other'half of said blocks in alignment, means for rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally o-f their axis within said recesses to engage and surround the individual springs at the endmost coils thereof, four pairs of cutting and crimping jaws, the two endmost ones of each of said holding blocks on each of said parallel supports having a passage therethrough through which one jaw of each of said pair of jaws projects, means for closing the jaws of each pair of jaws and for simultaneously moving said one jaw of each pair of jaws through said passage into said recess, each of said jaws having a crimping anvil surface and a projected cutting anvil surface, the anvil surface of the one jaw of each pair of jaws being positioned to move toward the anvil surface of the other jaw of each pair of jaws when said pairs of jaws close, the crimping surface of the one jaw of each pair of jaws being adapted to move toward the crimping surface of the other jaw of each pair of jaws When said pairs of jaws close.

10. A method of making a spring laced product comprising supporting a plurality of coil springs in side-byside relation, rotating a helix about its axis and moving it longitudinally of its axis to engage and surround the individual springs at one side of one end thereof, crimping the helix against the endmost of the coil springs and simultaneously cutting off the helix by pinching it against the side of the end of the endmost coil springs.

11. A method of making a spring laced product comprising supporting a plurality of coil springs in side-byside relation, rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis to engage and surround the individual springs at one side of both ends thereof, crimping the helices against the endmost of said coil springs and simultaneously cutting off the helices by pinching it against the one side of both ends of the endmost coil springs.

12. A method of making a spring laced product comprising supporting a plurality of coil springs in side-byside relation, rotating a pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis to engage and surround the individual springs at one side of opposite ends thereof, crimping the helices against the endmost of said coil springs, cutting off the helices by pinching them against the one side of the opposite ends of the endmost coil springs, rotating a further pair of helices about their axis and moving them longitudinally of their axis to engage and surround the individual springs at the other side of both ends thereof, crimping the helices against the endmost of said coil springs and simultaneously cutting off the helices by pinching them against the other side of the opposite ends of the endmost coil springs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,930,715 10/ 1933 Huer 917 2,296,878 9/ 1942 Saval 140-928 2,3 88,106 10/ 1945 Woller 140-92.7 X 2,666,459 1/ 1954 Gauci et a1. 140-92.8 2,708,461 5/ 1955 Greeno et al 14092.7 2,898,950 8/ 1959 Bronstien 140'-92.8 3,053,289 9/ 1962 Fisher 14092.7 3,122,177 2/ 1964 Kamp 14092.7

WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. SPRING LACING APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS FOR ROTATING A HELIX ABOUT ITS AXIS AND MOVING IT LONGITUDINALLY OF ITS AXIS TO ENGAGE AND SURROUND A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL COIL SPRINGS AT ONE SIDE OF ONE END OF EACH SPRING, MEANS FOR CRIMPING THE HELIX AGAINST THE ENDMOST OF SAID COIL SPRINGS AND FOR CUTTING OFF SAID HELIX BY PRESSING HELIX 